Cheap R/O systems

[Scotty Buttons]

I'm looking for a new R/O system and wondering if theres any difference between a $80 5 stage R/O I've seen on eBay compared to a more expensive $200 to $300 unit? Any input on R/O systems is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[skiergd011013]

I'm looking for a new R/O system and wondering if theres any difference between a $80 5 stage R/O I've seen on eBay compared to a more expensive $200 to $300 unit? Any input on R/O systems is much appreciated. Thanks

Never used a cheap ebay one. But I just got a bulkreefsupply, 4 stage 75 gpd unit a few months ago, and I love it. It was $121.00. I had it all hooked up right out of the box in less than 5 minutes. I highly recommend.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Thanks skier, ill take a look at that unit. Anyone else?

 

[Zack K]

Quality of the system, built in TDS meter, DI stage, GPH just to name a few factors. Also if your comparing EBay vs BRS, you have the possibility of new vs used.

 

[mtraylor]

FWIW I bought a Kent Marine RO/DI unit many years ago. I exchanged all the filters with Bulk Reef Supply filters. It raised the GPH usuage etc, etc. As long as the housings are good quality you shouldn't have any issues. I wouldn't want one made from same cheap plastic and bad seals.

 

[ChrisOFL]

Do not waste your time with the cheap RO/DI units. I had to replace mine within a few months because the filters just don't last. I only recommend Spectrapure for RO/DI because I have found their membranes and resins tend to last much longer. Their 99% rejection membrane is probably the best home RO membrane you can buy from everything I've seen. My membrane is going on 3 years old and still produces 3 TDS after the membrane. I get anywhere from 600-800 gallons out of my first DI stage and my second DI stage gets around double if I'm good about flushing the resins properly. This means I change out my resin once a year along with the sediment and carbon block, keeping my costs very low for the maintenance.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Awesome info, that's what I was fishing for! Thanks!

 

[Opus]

The Spectrapure refurbished 90gpd unit is one of the best deals around. You basically get a new unit for around $125 and get Spectrapure quality. Who knows what you will get from ebay. You may get a junkie RO membrane that only runs at 90%. You should be looking at 98% or better with 95% being the bottom for efficiency. The lower the efficiency the quicker you will go thru the DI resin, which means it will be more expensive in the long run because you are having to buy new DI resin more often. You also have no idea of the quality of the prefilters on the ebay unit. The prefilters protect the RO membrane so you want them to be high quality since the RO membrane is the most expensive component. Of course their are extras you can add that you don't really need to get the price up to the $200+ range. Personally I don't think you will go wrong with a unit from Spectrapure, BRS, Buckeyes or Melevs. I have a 20+ year old Kent Marine unit and it just recently blew an 0-ring. I just bought a new canister from BRS since I didn't know where to get a replacement 0-ring for it. It isn't the normal round shape, it is flat on one side. Plus I figured it would be nice to have a clear canister instead of the blue one.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

The Spectrapure refurbished 90gpd unit is one of the best deals around. You basically get a new unit for around $125 and get Spectrapure quality. Who knows what you will get from ebay. You may get a junkie RO membrane that only runs at 90%. You should be looking at 98% or better with 95% being the bottom for efficiency. The lower the efficiency the quicker you will go thru the DI resin, which means it will be more expensive in the long run because you are having to buy new DI resin more often. You also have no idea of the quality of the prefilters on the ebay unit. The prefilters protect the RO membrane so you want them to be high quality since the RO membrane is the most expensive component. Of course their are extras you can add that you don't really need to get the price up to the $200+ range. Personally I don't think you will go wrong with a unit from Spectrapure, BRS, Buckeyes or Melevs. I have a 20+ year old Kent Marine unit and it just recently blew an 0-ring. I just bought a new canister from BRS since I didn't know where to get a replacement 0-ring for it. It isn't the normal round shape, it is flat on one side. Plus I figured it would be nice to have a clear canister instead of the blue one.

Great info thanks ill take a look at some spectrapures, $125 is about the top dollar I wanna shell out right now but I want something that's quality.

 

[Midrats]

Been doing business with Spectrapure for 20 years. I wouldn't even consider looking elsewhere for my water purification needs.

 

[Cory]

This is what id look for. Clear housings for me are a must. Quality filters such as dow filmtek. And a deion stage.

 

[kyleinpdx]

I'm looking for a new R/O system and wondering if theres any difference between a $80 5 stage R/O I've seen on eBay compared to a more expensive $200 to $300 unit? Any input on R/O systems is much appreciated. Thanks

Water purification has been a family trade for a few decades, my pops did water purification for a nuclear plant then for multiple municipalities so I've been around it my entire life. Everything from self contained home RO units to 12x 6ft quartz sleeved UV lamps for waste water. IME the difference between the the cheap and the (reasonably) expensive are:

• quality of the filter cartridges - BRS uses the best in the industry for consumer grade filter inserts. A quick look on ebay shows that many of the cheap RO systems come with a 5 micron sediment filter (and even some 5 micron carbon blocks?!) compared to the 1 micron for BRS. Allowing larger particulate through the sediment filter will foul your carbon blocks and membrane much faster.
• quality of fittings - I try to use John Guest fittings and only JG as everything else I've ever had has leaked at some point. Most of the cheaper quality units will skimp in these areas. They'll use crappy 90* elbows that leak or blow out.
• included accessories - TDS meters, flush valves, tubing.

If you're looking to save money, I'd recommend buying a used but decent quality/well known brand and replacing the filter set/membrane. Hopefully get you the best of both worlds. I routinely see used RO/DI systems going for $80-100 here, then spend the 30-40$ on new filters. Viola.

 

[WWIII]

Looks like these guys pretty well covered it. The filters are what really cost the money. Can easily spend over $100 on new filters, which obviously the $80 complete rodi does not have. At least not the same quality filters. Plus a leaky rodi unit, or worse case one that completely lets go, is not very fun. They take so long to make water, many times we are not around the unit. Having one with good build quality and higher end materials gives good piece of mind!

I use spectrapure membranes and di resin. I also purchase the premium sediment filters and carbon blocks from premium aquatics (I forget the brand, but they are great!)

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

4 stage 75 gpd unit a few months ago, and I love it. It was $121.00.

+1 on the BRS 4 stage. I tried going the cheap route with a $60 eBay RODI system when I first started but spent more money changing out the filters after every large water tank fill than if I just got the one off BRS to begin with! Just get the BRS one; it’s well worth it and works fantastic!!